Sitta magna

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	SITTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Sitta magna

Species Authority:

Ramsay, 1876

Common Name/s:

English

–

Giant Nuthatch

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Htin Hla, T. & Lianxian, H.

Justification:
This species has a small population, which is likely to be declining and severely fragmented owing to the loss and degradation of conifer and mixed forest habitats through logging, fuelwood collection, shifting cultivation and fire. These factors qualify it as Vulnerable. Recent information suggests the species's population may be even smaller than previously thought, and if this is confirmed its status may warrant uplisting to Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Sitta magna is endemic to the mountains of south-west China, central and east Myanmar and north-west Thailand. The majority of records are from Yunnan (China), with only two known localities in Myanmar, both of which are thought to have lost the species in the last 20 years, and nine known localities in Thailand, at which it is declining. Recent comprehensive surveys in Myanmar's Shan states have been unsuccessful in locating the species (T. Htin Hla in litt. 2012). Recent surveys in Yunnan found the species to be present at low densities in most areas of mature pine forest visited (Anon. 2007). Overall, its population is likely to be declining and becoming increasingly fragmented.
Countries:	Native: China; Myanmar; Thailand
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of recent records and surveys by BirdLife International (2001). This is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is resident in mature conifer or open mixed conifer/broadleaf forest, being almost entirely confined to areas with large, mature Pinus kesiya, often with a major component of oak Quercus spp., at 1,000-2,500 m (Han Lianxian in litt. 2012). It is generally found in pairs, usually foraging high in pines, although nests have been found in oaks.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Pine forest habitats are being destroyed or degraded by commercial logging and exploitation for fuelwood and kindling. In Yunnan, although mass logging has been banned in many forest areas, scraping of bark for pine resin and lightwood are known to be causing widespread mortality of mature trees (Anon. 2007). Shifting cultivation has already cleared substantial tracts of suitable habitat and uncontrolled burning poses a significant threat, as conifers are more highly combustible than other forest trees. Older pines are especially vulnerable to frequent burning. It has also been recorded for sale in wildlife markets, although this is unlikely to represent a significant threat.

Major Threat(s):

Pine forest habitats are being destroyed or degraded by commercial logging and exploitation for fuelwood and kindling. In Yunnan, although mass logging has been banned in many forest areas, scraping of bark for pine resin and lightwood are known to be causing widespread mortality of mature trees (Anon. 2007). Shifting cultivation has already cleared substantial tracts of suitable habitat and uncontrolled burning poses a significant threat, as conifers are more highly combustible than other forest trees. Older pines are especially vulnerable to frequent burning. It has also been recorded for sale in wildlife markets, although this is unlikely to represent a significant threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It occurs in numerous protected areas, including various nature reserves in China (Han Lianxian in litt. 2012), and Doi Chang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and Doi Khun Tan National Park, Thailand. A public awareness program, involving leaflets, posters and community outreach, has been initiated in Yunnan (Anon. 2007). Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct further surveys to establish its distribution, estimate population size and assess the level of threat to its habitat. Establish further protected areas around sites supporting healthy populations and ensure pine stands are maintained. Control large-scale logging of commercially valuable pine species on which it depends. Tighten and enforce restrictions on the scraping of mature pine trees for resin and firewood, in order to reduce incidental tree mortality. Continue awareness programmes and promote alternative livelihoods in areas where shifting cultivation and pine felling is damaging habitat.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in numerous protected areas, including various nature reserves in China (Han Lianxian in litt. 2012), and Doi Chang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and Doi Khun Tan National Park, Thailand. A public awareness program, involving leaflets, posters and community outreach, has been initiated in Yunnan (Anon. 2007).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys to establish its distribution, estimate population size and assess the level of threat to its habitat. Establish further protected areas around sites supporting healthy populations and ensure pine stands are maintained. Control large-scale logging of commercially valuable pine species on which it depends. Tighten and enforce restrictions on the scraping of mature pine trees for resin and firewood, in order to reduce incidental tree mortality. Continue awareness programmes and promote alternative livelihoods in areas where shifting cultivation and pine felling is damaging habitat.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Sitta magna. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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